It’s Monday, June 8. What Are You Reading?

SO, my hectic summer officially begins today. Trying to balance work commitments and keeping the kids entertained with an enjoyable summer has distracted my reading somewhat. Short stories and essays have always been easy for me to visit and revisit when a novel doesn’t pull me in. And I’m finding my novice introduction to Graphic Novels to be the same remedy for my waning attention span.

The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson is my last library book group read until it reconvenes in the fall. To be honest, I am struggling yet once again with a book group selection. Can’t put my finger on what isn’t working for me except that I just look to all the books I want to read and fight sitting down with this story.

The Temple of Air by Patricia Ann McNair has been well worth the wait. I’ve had this on my TBR for some time and am loving the connected short stories. It has some dark, unapologetic stories and her writing is beautiful. She is a Chicago native and has this great website with photos as journal prompts each day which make me want to write so badly.

And finally I picked up Lumberjanes, Vol. 1 by Noelle Stevenson from work last week and so far really enjoying it. As a former Girl Scout and previous camper, the setting of camp is bringing back all sorts of nostalgia for me and the elements of fantasy are so much fun. I can see this series becoming my part of my summer reads this year.

Goodonya for picking some backlist titles, I am trying to do the same. Haven’t had much luck these past few months and I look at my shelves forlornly at some of the books I was SO excited about that have been kept waiting far too long. I trust your recommendations in short stories, so I may give The Temple of Air a gander. I finished the barnburner Swerve by Vicki Pettersson this weekend and am half-way through the latest in the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford, always a nice palate cleanser!

My dwindling luck has just been getting to my old titles. I’ve been so caught up in new releases for the blog and things coming in at the library the “old” things on the shelf always seem to get pushed to the end of the queue. I’m going to make a concerted effort not to request any more library books (ugh) and at least get 2 books off the shelf read per month. Figure that should be doable.

I”m just getting into graphic novels too, and DEVOURED the first three volumes of Chew yesterday. So if you’re looking for a new one, I’m super into it. I haven’t picked up Lumberjanes yet, but it’s near the top of the list. Hope you have a great week 🙂